Quality cards from Cheltenham Racecourse pepper the National Hunt campaign as the season builds to the crescendo of the four-day Festival in March. This weekend sees one of the most anticipated early season fixtures kicks into gear with the 2024 edition of the three-day November Meeting.
Getting underway on Friday afternoon and running through to Sunday, this cracking meeting features six contests rated at Listed level or above, including the Grade 2 Shloer Chase. However, the big betting heat comes in the shape of the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday afternoon.
First run in 1960 and sponsored by Mackeson until 1995, this 2m4½f Premier Handicap Chase has received the backing of Paddy Power since 2020. Whilst “only” a handicap affair, the event regularly attracts runners who go on to hit the heights at a higher level. The pick of the 21st Century winners to date is 2008 hero Imperial Commander, who returned to Prestbury Park to claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.
Destiny to Score for Ditcheat
Successful with Al Ferof (2012), Caid Du Berlais (2014), and Stage Star (2023), Paul Nicholls is one of many trainers to target this £150,000 event with their most talented handicappers.
In the first week of November, much racing talk centred around the slow start to the season made by the 14-time champion trainer. It’s fair to say the Ditcheat operation has picked up the pace since then – headlined by a 125/1 five-timer at Wincanton on Saturday afternoon.
Paul Nicholls’ Wincanton Winner on Saturday 9th November
| Race | Horse | Jockey | SP | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:35 | Sorceleur | Harry Cobden | 2/9 | £8.2k |
| 1:09 | Beau Balko | Ben Bromley | 9/2 | £10.6k |
| 1:45 | Larchmont Lass | Harry Cobden | 11/4 | £19.1k |
| 2:55 | Rubaud | Harry Cobden | 11/10 | £41.6k |
| 4:05 | Swingin Safari | Harry Cobden | 11/8 | £8.2k |
Given that upturn in fortunes, it is no surprise that Nicholls is responsible for the clear Paddy Power Gold Cup favourite. Ginny’s Destiny is out on his own at the head of the market and boasts a remarkably similar profile to the 2023 winner Stage Star.
Stage Star headed into the 2023 edition following an excellent 2022/23 campaign, which included a Turners Novices’ Chase triumph and saw his mark climb from 140 to 155. Racing off 155 for this contest, he started as the 4/1F and stormed to a mighty four-length success.
Ginny’s Destiny followed a similar trajectory last term. Beginning life over fences on a mark of 135, three wins in six outings, plus a runners-up effort in the Turners Novices’ Chase, saw his rating climb to 155.
Available to back at 8/1 earlier in the month, he’s a general 11/4 in the week leading up to the race.
Talent Lurks Amongst the Opposition
If Stage Star is a good guide as to what it takes to win this event, Ginny’s Destiny appears well-placed to follow in the hoofprints of his stablemate. However, he will need to be fit and firing on his first run in 219 days to see off a typically high-quality field. Should any chinks emerge in his armour, the market suggests the following five rivals are most likely to take advantage.
Imagine
Formerly based in Ireland with Gordon Elliott, this six-year-old gelding now resides at the yard of Nicholls’ former assistant, Harry Derham. Making only his fourth start over fences here, the pick of his previous outings saw him bag the Group 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown. Having disappointed on his final start for Elliott, he has questions to answer as he makes his debut for Derham, but early market support suggests a big run is expected. Receiving 10 pounds from Ginny’s Destiny, he is one of the more likely runners to have something up his sleeve from the handicapper.
Il Ridoto
In contrast, the assessor knows all about this fellow Paul Nicholls challenger. Boasting form figures of 844163238P at Cheltenham, Il Ridoto can generally be relied upon to go well at the home of the jumps game. Having finished fourth off a mark of 140 in 2022 and third off 144 in 2023, the seven-year-old will hope to make it third time lucky in his big early season target. Getting in off 138 this year, he is handicapped to at least replicate his previous placed finishes.
Ga Law
This Jamie Snowden runner has come up short in two Grade 1s at this track but is a perfect two from two in Cheltenham Handicaps. Those successes include a 2022 win in this race when toughing it out well to score off a mark of 142. He’s up to 155 here, which makes life significantly tougher, but unlike many others in the field, he has the benefit of a recent run under his belt.
In Excelsis Deo
In common with Harry Derham, Harry Fry learnt his trade as assistant to Paul Nicholls. Much like Derham, Fry will hope to get one up on his former boss on Saturday afternoon. Going in the famous green and gold of JP McManus, In Excelsis Deo has hit the frame in six of 10 starts over fences. The pick of those efforts saw him power to an easy victory by almost five lengths in the Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at this track in April. He’s six pounds higher here, but there may well be more to come.
Let’s Go Champ
It wouldn’t be a major Cheltenham Handicap without a strong challenge from the Emerald Isle. This nine-year-old from the yard of Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Henry De Bromhead leads the Irish charge in this event. Having shown promise as a hurdler, Let’s Go Champ enjoyed a productive debut season over fences. In five chase outings, he missed the frame only once, with his peak performance seeing him land a competitive Grade 3 handicap over this trip at Punchestown. Regular partner Rachael Blackmore misses out through injury, but that aside, this son of Jeremy looks to have plenty in his favour.